Phlearn is back with a great lighting tutorial using a cheap DIY light setup that costs less than $50. More importantly, Aaron Nace breaks down how to use the lights to get a certain look. He goes further to show his camera’s settings for the shots and how to work with your subject to get the best possible portrait with this setup.

The lights he mentions in the above video can be found currently for $15.99 each here on Amazon.com.

Westcott has released a new convertible light modifier – the Omega Relector. On the surface it looks like a normal 5-in-1; however, a rectangular section is removable from the middle of the reflector, which creates a variety of lighting possibilities. [Read more…]

We’ve all seen the before and after photos that plague online advertising. These photos are often part of ads that proclaim the latest and greatest fitness craze or weight loss pill. In the above video, BuzzFeedBlue shows just how easy it is to fake these photos using nothing more than some lighting and posing changes.

While there are certainly things you can do to enhance a physique for the after photo (e.g., lift weights, cardio and eat healthier), much of the presentation still relies on the professional eye of the photographer.

Chinese manufacturer Yongnuo has been a popular source of affordable speedlights for photographers in recent years. One of its latest units really steps up the game in the technology department though. [Read more…]

Karl Taylor was at the Broncolor booth at Photokina 2014 doing a live beauty lighting session in only 30 minutes. The video, however, is condensed to 11 minutes. While the audio quality is sketchy throughout, you still get the idea of what he’s doing.

In the session, he also shows off the fast recycle time of the new Broncolor SIROS lights as you can see when he invites numerous photographers up on stage to capture images using the same lights a the same time. The SIROS lights fire repeatedly without missing a beat as several photographers fire at almost the same time. We also get another short refresher on how Broncolor para umbrellas work.

Metz announced Sony versions of the Mecablitz 44 AF-1 and 52 AF-1 speedlights for Sony’s Multi Interface hot shoe. The two new models come equipped with updated feet and no longer require the use of an adapter to work on recent Sony cameras.